AFTER THESE THINGS,.... The resurrection of Christ from the dead, his appearance to Mary Magdalene, and twice to his disciples; once when Thomas was absent, and at another time when he was present: JESUS SHOWED HIMSELF AGAIN TO THE DISCIPLES, a third time, as in John 21:14 though not to them all;... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE TOGETHER,.... In one place, in one house, in some town, or city of Galilee, not far from the sea of Tiberias; nor, as very likely, far from the mountain where Christ had promised to meet them. Simon Peter, who though he had denied his Lord, dearly loved him, and truly believed in him, kep... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON PETER SAITH UNTO THEM, I GO A FISHING,.... Which was his business before his conversion; and now having nothing to do, and his Lord and master having, as yet, no service for him in the ministry of the word, until the Spirit was poured down in an extraordinary manner, which was given to be expe... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN THE MORNING WAS NOW COME,.... The day began to dawn, and light to appear, very early in the morning; for Christ visits his right early, and is a present help to them in their time of trouble. JESUS STOOD ON THE SHORE: on firm ground, whilst his disciples were beating about in the waves, an... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, CHILDREN,.... And still they knew him not, though he used this endearing and familiar appellation, and which they had been wont to hear from him; and he had called them by a little before his departure from them, John 13:33 and which he uses here as expressive of his tend... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO THEM,.... Willing to make himself known by a miracle, since they knew him not by his person, nor voice: CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP, AND YE SHALL FIND; that is, a large multitude of fish, as they did. The ship was an emblem of the church in its present afflicted stat... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THAT DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED,.... Which was John the Evangelist and Apostle, the writer of this Gospel: SAITH UNTO PETER, IT IS THE LORD; which two disciples were very intimate with each other, and communicated their thoughts freely to one another. John knew that it was the Lord, either... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE OTHER DISCIPLES CAME IN A LITTLE SHIP,.... The same that they were fishing in, in which they came to Christ as soon as they could, not choosing to expose themselves, as Peter did; nor was it proper that they should leave the ship, and, as it was, might have hands few enough to bring ship and... [ Continue Reading ]
AS SOON THEN AS THEY WERE COME TO LAND,.... As soon as they were come out of the ship, and safe on shore, not only Peter, but all the rest of the disciples: THEY SAW A FIRE OF COALS THERE: on the shore, to their great surprise: AND FISH LAID THERE; which could not be any that they had taken, for,... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM,.... The disciples: BRING OF THE FISH WHICH YE HAVE NOW CAUGHT: for they might have caught some before, though so few and small, as scarcely to be reckoned any; nor were they bid to bring all they had taken, only some of them, to add to these Christ had prepared for them on la... [ Continue Reading ]
SIMON PETER WENT UP,.... Either to the sea, that being higher than the land, or to the ship which lay by the shore: he went aboard it, and DREW THE NET TO LAND FULL OF GREAT FISHES; not alone, but others of the disciples with him; though he only is mentioned, being the leading person in this affair... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM, COME AND DINE,.... One would think it should rather have been said, come and take a breakfast than a dinner, since it was so early in the morning: but Grotius has observed, out of Homer, that αριστον, is used for food taken in a morning; so that it may signify here, not what w... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS THEN COMETH AND TAKETH BREAD,.... After they had taken the fish out of the net, and all was prepared for the meal, and the disciples were set down to eat, Christ came and took his place as the master of the feast, and head of the family; and taking up the bread, as was his usual method, he ask... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS NOW THE THIRD TIME,.... Or day of Christ's appearance to his disciples: he appeared to them first on the same day he rose, and then a second time eight days after, or that day a week later, and now at the sea of Tiberias; for within this compass of time he had made more appearances than thre... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THEY HAD DINED,.... The Persic version adds, JESUS TURNED HIS FACE TO SIMON PETER; he did not interrupt them whilst they were eating; but when they had comfortably refreshed themselves, he looked at Peter, and singled him out from the rest, and directed his discourse to him; and saith unto... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAITH UNTO HIM AGAIN THE SECOND TIME,.... Willing to have the expressions of his love repeated and confirmed; SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? he leaves out the words, "more than these", though Nonnus expresses them; he saw Peter's heart, and observed the modesty of his answer, and would not... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAITH UNTO HIM THE THIRD TIME,.... That by these three testimonies, out of his mouth, the thing might be established, and be out of all doubt: SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME? is it so indeed that thou lovest me? is thy love really so hearty and sincere as thou savest? may it be depended upo... [ Continue Reading ]
VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE,.... A way of speaking often used by Christ, when about to deliver anything of considerable moment, partly to raise the attention, and partly for the more strong asseveration of what is spoken; and may have reference both to what went before, confirming Peter's declar... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS SPAKE HE,.... These are the words of the evangelist, explaining the meaning of Christ in like manner, as in John 12:33 SIGNIFYING BY WHAT DEATH HE SHOULD GLORIFY GOD; for by the above words Christ not only intimated that Peter should die, not a natural, but a violent death, or that he should d... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PETER TURNING ABOUT,.... After he was risen, and was following Christ: SEETH THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED FOLLOWING also; by whom is designed John the Evangelist, and writer of this Gospel; who hearing Christ bid Peter follow him, rose up likewise, and went after him, in token of his willingn... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER SEEING HIM, SAITH TO JESUS,.... Peter took a great deal of notice of John, and very likely understood, that he meant by his rising up and following Christ, to signify his readiness for service and suffering in the cause of Christ: and therefore says, LORD, AND WHAT SHALL THIS MAN DO? The phra... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM,.... Christ vouchsafes an answer to Peter, but not a very clear one, nor such an one as he wished for, and not without a rebuke to him: IF I WILL THAT HE TARRY TILL I COME, WHAT IS THAT TO THEE? meaning, that if it was his pleasure that he should live, not till his second comin... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WENT THIS SAYING ABROAD AMONG THE BRETHREN,.... It not being rightly understood by some one or more of the disciples present: it was divulged with a wrong sense annexed to it among other persons; who, though not of the eleven, yet were followers of Christ, children of God, that belonged to the... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE DISCIPLE WHICH TESTIFIETH OF THESE THINGS,.... Recorded in this chapter concerning the appearance of Christ to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias, and what were done by him in their presence, what passed between them; particularly the conversation he had with Peter, both concerning him... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE ARE ALSO MANY OTHER THINGS WHICH JESUS DID,.... Which refer not to his doctrines and discourses, his sermons and prayers, and the conversation he had with his disciples, and others, on different accounts; but to the signs, and wonders, and miraculous operations, which were done by him, tha... [ Continue Reading ]